Anyone who has stepped on a rusty nail, been bitten by a dog, or cut their hand with a knife is probably familiar with getting a tetanus shot. The tetanus vaccine is usually given to children as part of a series of shots they receive between the ages of 2 months and 6 years. Adults should get a booster shot every 10 years, but many, fearing the pain of a tetanus shot, often put off getting the shot until they really need it. However, pain can be relieved by using pain relief methods before and after the vaccine.
Most people tolerate tetanus immunization without too many side effects, although some people experience tetanus soreness. Taking a non-aspirin pain reliever, such as acetaminophen or Tylenol, both before and after you receive the injection will help reduce both pain and fever. Ibuprofen can also be effective. For most people, the pain should go away after a day or two of taking pain-relieving medication.
In infants, pain medications can reduce the effectiveness of the tetanus shot. A parent should talk to their child's pediatrician before giving the baby that drug to see if the benefits outweigh the risks. In addition, a doctor will need to rule out other health problems in young children.
If the tetanus immunization site becomes swollen, one trick to reduce the pain of the tetanus shot is to use ice to help reduce swelling. Ice can help numb the site and reduce any swelling in the area. Put an ice pack on the site or take a bag of frozen vegetables from your freezer and place it where you received your tetanus shot. You may also want to moisten and freeze a clean washcloth or kitchen towel and place the frozen cloth on the injection site. Apply ice for 10 to 15 minutes several times throughout the day.
After the first 48 hours, using a damp cloth or heating pad to apply heat to the affected area may be more effective than cold in managing tetanus pain. The pain can make it tempting to keep the affected area still. However, some of the pain comes from muscle pain, so moving or using the arm that received the tetanus shot can also help reduce pain.
Unfortunately, the best way to get rid of tetanus shot pain is to wait. Tetanus soreness usually goes away on its own after a few days. However, you must be proactive while you wait. Call your doctor if you develop a high fever; experience hoarseness, wheezing, or shortness of breath; or if you develop hives, paleness, weakness, fast heartbeat, or dizziness.